Machine for operating on the soles of boots and shoes



Feb. 14, 1 928. 1,659,147

W. J. M LEAN MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON THE SOLES OF BOOTS AND SHOES Filed March 26. 1923 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED Mattie? SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, 033 PATinRSiJ-ll', Ii EW' JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR QPERATENG ON THE SOLES OF BOOTS A111]? SHOES.

Application filed March 243,

and cause the sO-called welt crease, that is,

the angular space between the sole or welt and the upper, to be closed. This operation is frequently referred to as shank breaking and has usually been effected by hand, a

hammer being; used to pound or pean the,

edge or margin of the sole to bend it relaa tively to the plane of the body portion so as to close the welt crease and produce a close shank.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine adapted to beat the marginal por tion of the sole into the desired position whereby the operation may be performed with less labor andvmore expeditiously than.

can be done by hanchand without liability of injury to the shoe upper or other parts of the shoe. 7

Features of the invention consist in a novel form of rotary heating element for delivering repeated blows upon a sole, in a duplex arrangement of such elements, and in novel means to guide the shoe with respect to such heating elements as the shoe is held to one of the beating elements by the operators hands and to guard the upper and channel leaf from injury during the action of either element on either of the sole margins.

As shown, in one embodiment of the invention each element of the tool is provided with fiat faces joined by rounded corners which, as the tool rotates, successively engage and beat the solo. The flat faces of each tool element may constitute the sides of the frustum of a pyramid. By moving the shoe toward the larger end of the element a greater beating effect will be secured. The illustrated tool element may also be regarded as cuboidal with two parallel faces, one smaller than the other and both perpendicular to the shaft, the other I? tacos being equal, equally inclined to the shaft, and joined by the rounded corners.

To guide the shoe with respect to the beat- 1923. Serial No. 653K719.

inn elements as the shoe is held to the tool ll the operators hands, a novel gage or ituide is provided. Th-egage, as shown, may

comprise a ring loosely mounted on the axis of the tool adjacent to the smaller end. of each of the heating elements and slightly larger than the smaller end of the element so that its peripheral portion will extend enou rh beyon dthe corners of the element to form an obstruction to movement of the shoe lengthwise of, the axis of the tool in the direction of the smaller end of the element and indicate "the proper location of the shoe for the beating operation. The ring also serves as a guard for protecting the upper from injury and for this purpose may, as shown,have a relatively wide face lengthwise of the axis of the tool so that v-ihen in order to cause either beating ele-- merit to act upon the edge corner ofthe sole at the shank, or even upon itsedg 'e face,

the shoe is tipped about its longitudinal 21MB, tne upper will contact with the guard rinn Of course, as soon as either the edge of the sole or the upper touches the guard llllQ, its rotation is arrested and the shoe may rest against it without liability of the,

edge or the upper bein defaced, while at 1 In t l 'thwiseto subject the sole margin tothe cli'cctive action of the beating; tool.

In another embodiment ofthe invention the beating faces of the elements are illustrated as shortened sons to avoid engagement of the beating face with the channel leaf or lip and concentrate the beating ac tion on the marginof the sole outside the lip. In this case "a guide and guard ring may be provided between the tool elements or, as an alternative, the reduction to accomn'iodate the channel leaf may be formed in the central portion of a tool the elements of which are smaller at their outer ends rclie same time the shoe is freely movable" atively to the central portion, and a separate ring: may be provided adjacent to the smaller end of each element. p I

By these constructions both sides ofthe shank of the shoe may be treated to poundino; action with a minimum of manipulation of the shoe, since one side of the shoe sole may be operated upon by the one element, its edge being); held against one face of a sage or guard ring and its upper protected .by the edge face of thesaid ring, and when the operation upon that side of the shoe has been completed by moving the shoe laterally and without shifting the shoe end for end theother side of the sole may he presented to the other element with its edge against another face of a gage or guard ring, the upper being guarded as before by the peripheral face of the ring. As shown, the tool and gage are mounted directly upon the end of the shaft of a motor, such as an electric motor, properly designed to run at the speed required for the tools. This arrangement results in a greatly simplified construction of the machine and enables power to he applied, without loss, to the tool and thence to the shoe.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric motor having mounted upon its shaft beating mechanism embodying the present invention, a shoe being shown with the edge corner of the shank of the solo presented to the outer heating element of the duplex tool;

Fig.2 is a side elevation of the tool. a shoe heing shown in section with one side in operative relation to one element of the tool and its position indicated in dotted lines when the other side is presented to the other element; and

Figs. 3 and d are modified forms of duplex tools emliiodying the present invention.

In the drawings a motor is shown at 2 the shaft 4 of which is extended to provide a support and actuator for arotary tool 6. 18 which is secured to the shaft hy set-screws 7. It is to be understood, of course. that any shaft suitably mounted and driven at the proper speed may he utilized to hold and drive the tool. Since. however. a proper speed for the tool is about 1200 R. P. M.. it is convenient and advantageous to connect the too] directly to the arn'iature shaft of a motor designed to run at that speed. The tool, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. is made up of two elements 6, 18 each of which is formed as a frustum of a four-sided pyramid with the corners between its inclined faces slightly rounded so as not to injure the leather of the sole. The bases of the elements 6. 18 are arrangedv outwardly. Preferably. however. the taper of the acting faces of the element is only slight and the proportions of the elementare such that it may he regarded as cuhoidal. that is, the element presents a six:- sided figure approximating a cube. The outer face or side 8 and the inner face 10 are unequal and parallel. hoth being prpendicular to the shaft 4. The other four faces 12. which constitute the acting faces of the element. are equal and equallx inclined to the shaft l. the corners hetween these faces being slightlY rounded to pre Vent too harsh action of the tool upon the work Adjacent to the inner and smaller ends of heating element.

the elements is arranged a ring 14 looself, mounted on the shaft 4-,ther1ng being of sue 1 a size that it PIOJOCtS shghtly, as at 15, be-

yond the corners of the tool. This projection is sufficient to arrest the shoe which being upheld against either element 6, 1.8, and serves as a guide for the operator in properly locating the shoe with respect to the tool. 'l. he tapered formation of the element tends to hold the ed' 'e of the shoe ag in t llll' gage. The operative may, i he wishes. however, move the shoe outwariilly to cause a larger portion of the element to engage the sole, the heating eli'eet there luring greater hecause of the lar cr diameter of the elcnu-nt.

In treating some slurs lia sing sharply curved or angular shanks it necessary to turn the shoe about its longitudiinil axis so as to present the edge corner of the sole. and even the edge face of the sole. to the p In this crcnl it is necessary to protect the upper from injury by contact with the tool. To thus protect the upper the gage 14.- has its edge face '16 extended lengthwise of the shaft l to form a guard. ll ith this guarding face It; provided on the loose ring ll the operator does not have to exercise care as to the amount he turns the shoe and may present the shoe to the heater in any position necessary to produce the desired heating effect.

Inwardly of the ring 14: on the shaft is arranged the second heating element 18 which may he, and preferably is. identical with the element 6, this element lieiu r arranged with its smaller and neat to the ring 14. From the drawing it will be clear that one side of the shoe may be presented to the element 6 as descrihed. and then the opposite side of the shoesiru gily by a lateral movement of the shoe. nuiy he presented to the tool 18 and a similar operation performed on that side of the shoe. the opposite side face of the ring then serving as a gage and the same edge face 16 serving as a guard for the upper. This construction avoids the necessity of turning the shoe end for end as would be necessary if only one tool were provided.

In Fig. is shown as form of duplex tool having. broadly. the chararteri t shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This form. houei'er. is hotter adapted for heatlnr. the margins of soles which are channrlci'l and harrthe channel leaf turned inwardly. It is preferable tobeat down the nuirg'ins of such soles before the channel. leaf is laid and to avoid contact of the tool with the channel leaf. Accordingly. in this form the heating .face of each element of the tool shortened by cutting away the outer or larger portions of the elements as at 20. The heating faces of the elements 21. 21 are suhrtaulial r circular and are provided with grooves to enable the tool to effect a beating action Ill) spective tools.

as well as a, rubbing action. Between the elements a loose ring 9A 15 arranged, the sald ring having the guldmg and guarding functions ascribed to the ring 14 of Figs.

being located adjacent to the smaller end of a heating element as in the other construction shown.

In the operatTon of the machine the shoe is firmly upheld in both hands of the operator and the marginal portion of its shank in'esented for examnle. to the element 6 as shown in full lines in Fi turned about its longit-n l axis and moved. lengtlnvise to cause the desired lateral and longitud'nal extent of the sole margin to be beaten into the desired position to produce a close shank. hen this operation has been effected on one margin of the shank the shoe shifted laterally to present the opposite margin to the other element, in this instance to the element 18 as shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. and a sii'nilar operation on the shoe being that margin is performed. Dori these i. operations the opposite side tacos if), 17 of the loose ring respectively provide gages for the lateral positon of the shoe with respectto theeleinents e and i8. and the edge facelb of the ring: serves in both operations to guard the upper against njury when the shoe is turned about its longitudinal axis alternatively to present the opposite edge corners or edge faces of the sole to the action of the re- .lhe form of tool shown in Fig. 3 is similarly used. the margin of the sole outside the channel leaf being first presented to one of the elements as shown w th the channel.

leaf lying in the cut-away portion 20 of the element and then the other n'largin presented in a similar manner to the other elementQl. In using the tool shown in a the shoe is held so that the upper is guarded by one of the loose rings. for example 28, with the channel leaf in the cut-away portion 26, the margin of the solo he'ng treated by the beating element 2?. The edge of the sole is guided by engaging the inner face of the ring 28. The shoe is then moved laterally to position the sole edge against the inner face of the loose ring 30, the edge face of which guards the upper. The margin of the sole is then treated by the element 29 while the channel leaf lies in the cut-away portion 26 as before.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lettors Patent of the United States is:

l. in a shoe beating machine, a duplex tool ha *ing heating elements to treat the right and left sides of the shank, in combination with loose means to guard the upper when using either the right or the left element.

. In a shoe beating machine, a duplex tool haxvng' beating cements tapered to adapt them for treating opposite sides of the shank portion of the sole without reversal of the shoe end for end, and a loose ring adjacent to the smaller end of each element to guard the upper when either element is ill use.

El. lira machine of the class described, a rotary shaft, a duplex tool fixed on the shaft having tapered sole treating elements to 'ht and left shanks, in combination with loose means adjacent to similar ends of the elements, aid means being arranged to engage the edge face of a sole while its margin treated by the tool. i i. In a machine of the class described, a duplex tool having ating elements to treat rightand le i incombination with loose means comprising a single ring to cooperate by one edge with one of the beatin cleinents and by its opposite edge with the other element. a

in a shoe pounding inacaine, a rotary shaft, fa pair of similar beating elements on being symn'ietrically arranged with ret to a plane perpemlicular to toe shaft and adapted for alternative use in treating oppos ki marginal portions of the shoe sole, and a flange projecting beyond the beating times of the tools and located in their piano symmetry. l

4%. In a shoe beating machine, a pair of rotary heating elements, and shoe guiding and guarding means loosely arranged With respect to said elements, said elements and guial ng and guarding means being arranged in bilateral symmetry With respect to aplane perpendimilar to the axis of rotation of the elements.

7. In a shoe bez'iting machine, a rotary shaft. a plurality of beating elements fixed to the shaft for treating the sole, and a loose ring separating the elements.

In a shoe beating machine, a rotary- 9. Ashoe beating machine having, in combination. a rotary shaft, a plurality of similar beating elementson said shaft, the operating surfaces of said elements being oppositely inclined relatively to the shaft, and means for guiding the edge face of the sole ie shaft for treating a shoe sole, said elewhile its margin is presented first to the action of one tool and then to the other tool.

10. In a shoe beating machine, a rotary shaft, a plurality of similar heating elements on the shaft, and a member between the tools loosely mounted on the shaft and arranged to be held stationary by contact with the work to serve as a guide for the work and as a guard for the upper when either element is being used.

11. A shoe beating machine having, in con'ibination, a rotary shaft, a plurality of similar heating elements on the shaft, the operating surfaces of said elements being oppositely inclined relatively to the shaft, and means hetween the elements which hecomes stationary when brought in contact with the shoe, said means acting as a guard for the upper when one margin of the shoe sole is p cntcd to the action of one tool. and likewise when its opposite mar in with the lengthwise direction of the sioe unchanged is presented to the other tool.

12. In a shoe heating machine, a rotary shaft, a beating tool on said shaft, said tool having elements each formed as a truncated pyramid and arranged with its base per pendicular to the shaft and its truncated end toward the similar end of the other, and a loose ring between said elements to form an edge gage for a sole while being treated by either of said elements.

13. In a shoe beating machine, a rotary shaft, a plurality of heating elements on the shaft, said elements each having substantially the shape of a truncated pyramid, and a guide for the work adjacent to the truncated end of each element.

14-. In a shoe beating machine, a rotary shaft, a. plurality of beating elements on the shaft, said elements each having substantially the shape of a truncated pyramid, and a relatively wide loose ring adjacent to the truncated end of each element to guard the upper when the shoe is tipped in presenting the margin of the sole tothc beating elements.

15. In a shoe heating machine, a rotary shaft, a plurality of similar elements fixed to the shaft for treating the sole, and a loose ring separating the elements.

16. In a shoe beating. machine, a rotary shaft, aheating element on the shaft, said element having: four equal operating faces inclined to the shaft, and a guide for the work adjacent to the ends of the faces nearest to the slmft and projecting beyond said faces.

17. A shoe beating machine having, in combination, a rotari shaft, a plural ty of similar tool element on said shaft, the op crat ng sin-faces of said clemcnts heingr oppositely inclined relatively to the shaft, and means between. the elements for guiding the wine face of the sole while its opposite nun gins are presented. first one margin to the act on of one element and then the other margin to the other eleinent.

In a shoe heating machine, a rotary shaft, and a heating element on the shaft, said element having four non-parallel faces and two faces parallel. the shaft being; perpendicular to the parallel faces.

if). in a shoe beating machine, a rotary shaft, and a heating element on the shaft, sa d element having two unequal parallel faces 'ierpemlicular to the shaft and four non-parallel faces equally inclined to the shaft.

20. In a shoe pounding machine, a rotary shaft, a pair of identicall shaped beating: elcments revcrsely arranged on the shaft for treating the respective marginal portions of a shoe sole, and loose means on the shaft forming a guard for the shoe upper when a margin of the shoe sole is presented to either of said elements.

In testimony whereof I have signed my ame to this specification.

W'lLLIitM J. MAGLEAN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,659,147. Granted February 14, 1928, to

WILLIAM J. MacLEAN.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, time 104:, claim 5, after the word "plane insert the Word "of"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of April, A. I). 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting (Iommissioner of iatents. 

